Tyler James Thornburg, 22, of Cheney, allegedly killed Dave Mueller with a baseball bat about 3:30 AM on June 29, and Nathan "Shane" Walton an hour and a half later. Richard "Ricky" McLaughlin was also charged for the beatings. Police don't think Tyler or Ricky knew Shane or Dave, but are members of a gang called the True Blue Soldiers, which randomly targeted both of them.

Tyler was partying at Ricky's house at 3001 N. 14th Street with several people when they noticed Dave walking by. The party goers needed more cash to buy alcohol and weed so they approached Dave as he walked down the sidewalk. Then came a "thwack" and a witness saw Tyler with a blue baseball bat and Dave's cellphone.

Another witness told police that several men went out again in a red pickup "looking for more work" and eventually stopped near 38th and L Streets. The witness heard a man scream and several "thwacks" from a baseball bat. ​